Poppy Maskill set to be youngest ever freeman of Middlewich

The world champion swimmer is currently in Paris making her Paralympic debut, where she’s bagged three gold medals, including the S14 women’s 100m butterfly in the fastest time ever, on August 29.

She also took gold in the women’s 100m backstroke on Friday, September 6.

The 19-year-old also delivered an outstanding third leg for the Great Britain mixed 4x100m freestyle S14 team as they stormed to victory ahead of Australia and Brazil to successfully defend their Tokyo 2020 title.

The former Middlewich Rose Queen also recorded her fastest time of the year in the S14 women’s 200m freestyle as she secured a silver.

And on Wednesday, September 4, the superstar did it again when she secured yet another silver in a thrilling SM14 200m individual medley final.

Team GB's Poppy Maskill in the pool (Image: Adam Davy/PA)

As well as medals, the 19-year-old has won the hearts of the nation as the golden girl of the pool in Paris over the past week, thanks to her form in the Paris La Defense Arena.

Now, on her return to Cheshire, the Middlewich Mermaid, former Northwich Centurion, and Winsford Swim Team competitor will receive another honour, this time, much closer to home.

On Friday, September 6, Middlewich town mayor, Simon Whittaker, confirmed she’s to be awarded the freedom of the town, which has been given just four times in the past.

The special honour is in the gift of Middlewich Town Council, and will be awarded at a ceremony at Civic Hall on Lewin Street on a date soon to be announced.   

Great Britain's Will Ellard, Rhys Darbey, Poppy Maskill (second from left) and Olivia Newman-Baronius celebrate with their gold medals after winning the S14 mixed 4x100m freestyle relay at the Paris La Defense Arena (Image: Zac Goodwin/PA)

Cllr Whittaker added: “Poppy’s debut Paralympics performance is a massive, massive achievement, showing an incredible amount of work and dedication.

“It should be an inspiration to everybody, especially schoolchildren, showing when you put some many hours into doing something, it eventually pays off.

“It’s not just true in sport, but in all aspects of life. If you work at something, you will be rewarded.

“No doubt she has made many, many sacrifices to get there.

“Our decision to award her to Freedom of Middlewich wasn’t taken lightly, but we are in no doubt, it is fully deserved.”

Maskill arrived at the Paris Games as a multiple world champion para swimmer in the S14 class for athletes with an intellectual impairment.